DIY Fish Tank Rack Under $99!

Today we are building a budget fish tank breeding rack!
The process is simple and can be adjusted to fit just about any selection of tanks. You can even adjust the plans and attach multiple for a whole wall of tanks!
All you need is a few tools and you can make one of the sturdiest racks available for a fraction of the cost of store bought options.
Thanks for watching and don't forget to check back soon for the PDF plans to build this rack!
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Thanks for watching!
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Links to the products used in the video:
4 Pack 50W LED Flood Light amzn.to/3IkLWh8
90 Degree Right Angle Clamp amzn.to/3jVKtUX
High Density Foam Insulation Tape amzn.to/3HUNFZ4
Metal Power Strip amzn.to/3lxFoTr
Cable Clips amzn.to/3IgDPSG
Air Pump (I use for sponge filters): amzn.to/44TZEiK
Some of these links have an affiliate code - so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
For any commercial enquiries, please send me a PM, contact me via Instagram or leave a comment below.
Timestamps:
Introduction 0:00
What We're Building 0:26
Materials Needed 1:44
Getting Started 2:36
Assembling The Rack 4:00
Installing Structural Support 9:21
Painting 11:07
Shelf Foam 11:36
Lighting Options 12:27
Cutting Shelf/Top 13:17
Installing and Painting Shelf/ Top 14:13
Adding Tanks 15:11
Final Product 15:50
Additional Additions 16:15
Upcoming Videos 17:15

[@Colton_Lee]

What fish have you always wanted to breed (or keep) but never have? I'm going to test the boundaries of what I know in fish/invert breeding and plant propagation in the next few months! Subscribe so we can learn together!

[@Riskybizness12]

I don’t need to build anything at this time but this is the best detailed video on how too I’ve ever seen thank you I’ll definitely save for my next build

[@scottsolar5884]

You didn't need to spend money on the plywood! Nice build. Black is beautiful in the fish rack making world.

[@alptunga]

So far the best video on the subject. Use a spirit level & Always fix your rack to the wall.

[@Colton_Lee]

The best advice 👆

[@Acer-4Js]

Nice job, I strongly suggest that the rack be screwed to the wall or extend the feet at the bottom to prevent it falling forward

[@Colton_Lee]

Thats exactly right, thanks for the comment. I need to do and update mentioning that very thing. I will say, on a solid floor, leveled, it is surprisingly sturdy. 100% true though, anything this tall and heavy needs to be secured to the wall. You never know who or what will decide to pull it over.

[@patflip7402]

I like the self stick foam strips. I build and sell 2 x 4 stands/racks-it's a great idea! Will be doing that myself. Looks very nice, would suggest for anything over a 29 vertical supports under the corner of the frames (The King of DIY).

[@The_Fish_Zone_6666]

Bro keep up your hardwork and dedication to your channel you will absolutely be one of the best youtuber

[@robertevans2380]

Absolutely amazing video. Im copying this to the tee 🤭😅

[@mindovrmatter33]

Beefy stand! I was a little worried for you until I saw the lag bolts! I love the roominess with using lag bolts instead of vertical 2x4s for support!

[@Colton_Lee]

Thats the most important part! Lol I see way too many flimsy stands and racks to allow one into my own home. 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@robertlucas4941]

Agreed. Construction screws have little shear strength, so either lags or proper structural screws are essential.

[@spencerkooyman13]

Love your editing style lol

[@Night-Spawn]

nice vid, exactly what I was looking for, but my setup will be 40, 20L and 4 10's, possibly more 10's or 20L when petco does their sale again

[@tma1818]

great video. continue like that

[@deltoid4]

I have been watching videos and racking my brain trying to build a stand that will fit into an under stairs cupboard. Most designs are dado cut, but this with lag screws has to be easier. My personal issue is fitting it under after its built because I don't think I can build it in there, I worry about the lag screws a little though, not because I think the screw would snap, I was thinking of the wood splitting in tat spot and of course the shelf going with it. I assume your tanks are all well and the shelves still strong? In the UK we are no where near as lucky with lumber prices and space. But I love what you have. Merry Christmas from Wales UK

[@kyleknudsen9048]

Damn bro, great video

[@JKFishKeeping]

Very nice 🙌

[@The_Other_Dan]

Very impressive! Out of interest, why not LED lights? That would eliminate the issue of having to turn the flood lights down to avoid cooking the tanks above?

[@Colton_Lee]

They actually are led lights! They are just a little overpowered with no adjustability. You could totally go with an aquarium strip light above each shelf and have more adjustability and timer options. I just went with the cheapest most reliable thing I could find. Thanks for the comment!

[@zefaria17]

amazing video, keep going! do you have the pdf already ? it would help me a lot because in europe the measures are not the same 😅 Thank you !

[@Colton_Lee]

Thanks! I'm finishing it up currently and it should be out in the next day or two!

[@zefaria17]

@@Colton_Lee nice, im currently planing to build a rack like this so it will give me a lot of help 👍🏼

[@zeqoszn1588]

Hopefully you respond what size is the horizontal first cuts you did how long do they need to be

[@Colton_Lee]

They should basically be as long as the number of tanks you want to place on the shelf plus a little extra to account for trim on the tanks. I did 4x 10 gallons (which are 10" wide) and my boards were 42". BUT I would recommend going 43" or a touch longer, because at 42", my tanks fit in with almost no room to spare.

[@elimariott4870]

What air pump do you use to run the filters?

[@Colton_Lee]

Just added it to the description for ya! Thanks for asking!

[@RWAquariumPages]

great video, was designing my next shelf and this came up on my feed, at 9:21 those lagscrews for structural support, are those stronger or as strong as 4 2x4's going verticle up and down on each shelf to support? if this works, the lagscrews would save me a lot of space, thanks fo rthe great video

[@Colton_Lee]

I would suspect they are just as effective as vertical 2x4 supports, which are able to support roughly 1,000lbs (each). Factors that come into play are cost, obviously bolts are going to be much more expensive than lumber, and making sure to add extra room to fit each 2x4 under the shelf. Each are a safe bet in my mind. Thanks for the comment!

[@RWAquariumPages]

@@Colton_Lee wow that was a quick reply. Thanks for the comments! Off to continue to design my rack

[@vaspri]

what is the lenght of that lagscrew?@@Colton_Lee

[@vaspri]

What is the lenght of that lagscrew?

[@Colton_Lee]

4.5 Inches

[@vaspri]

Thanks@@Colton_Lee

[@tophatcheddar8636]

16:28 ?

[@Colton_Lee]

🤷‍♂️